Drawing on over three decades of entrepreneurial and executive experience, Charles Chuck Scroggs has served as president of Southwest Scaffolding, LLC in Rockwall, Texas, since 2012. With Chuck Scroggs at the helm, the Rockwall company has expanded to become the second-largest distributor of Non-Stop Scaffolding products in Texas. Scaffolding systems are an integral part of any construction or renovation project, and selecting the right type underlies their successful and safe completion.
Scaffolding systems come in three main types: supported, suspended, and adjustable. The first comprises fixed-to-ground poles and frames holding elevated wooden or metal platforms. With the second, the platform hangs in the air, suspended on ropes from the top of the building. And the adjustable scaffolding system allows for raising and lowering the platform with the help of pulleys or other mechanical devices. Each scaffolding system affords different benefits, so choosing one over the other requires considering several factors, including the following:
Land Conditions and Surrounding Area. Land conditions, such as stability and flatness, are critical when selecting the type of scaffolding system. In addition, potential aerial obstructions, including neighboring buildings and power lines and blocking occupants’ access to the building, should also be considered. For example, a suspended scaffolding system may be appropriate in unstable terrains and provide the building’s occupants with undisturbed access. Adjustable scaffold on wheels may also be an option, but this type is difficult to navigate on bumpy terrain.
Project Specifics. An exterior project of a very tall building will need a different scaffolding system than an interior project of a building with an irregular shape and multiple recesses. In the first case, suspended scaffolding may be the better option, while supported scaffolding may serve best the latter.
Project Budget. A supported scaffolding system is typically the most affordable option, while its adjustable counterpart tends to be costlier. However, the latter allows for faster erecting and dismantling and reportedly greater productivity, which may justify the higher initial cost. Suspended scaffolds require engineering according to each specific project, which makes them the most expensive type of the three.